Peripheral viewing system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A peripheral viewing system for a vehicle includes a pair of digital cameras, each positioned on the exterior of the vehicle proximately positioned where a side view mirror would typically be mounted. An additional digital camera is mounted on the vehicle roof immediately adjacent the top edge of the rear window. A plurality of LCD&#39;s each discretely associated with a corresponding camera are mounted within the vehicle passenger compartment at a location that is readily observable by the vehicle driver. The driver can panoramically view trailing traffic by observing the LCD&#39;s in the passenger compartment. One or more infrared phototransistor receivers are positioned at the rear of the vehicle for detecting oncoming vehicles. If the driver attempts to change lanes and activates a turn signal, a warning message will be emitted within the passenger compartment if any of the transistors detect an approaching vehicle within a predetermined range of the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/675,746, filed on Sep. 30, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,013,889,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/417,986, filedon Oct. 11, 2002. All of the above mentioned applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved peripheral viewing systemfor a vehicle that replaces conventional side and rearview mirrors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Vehicles are typically equipped with externally mounted mirrors on eachside, positioned immediately in front of the passenger and driver sidedoors to allow a driver to determine if vehicles are approaching from anadjacent lane. Vehicles are also equipped with a rearview mirrorallowing the driver to observe trailing vehicles. However, such mirrorshave several disadvantages. The field of view projected by such mirrorsis limited thereby resulting in blind spots particularly with respect tothe side view mirrors. The blind spots created by the side view mirrorsare responsible for numerous accidents.

In an effort to reduce or eliminate the blind spots, automobilemanufacturers employ concave or other reduction type mirrors; thoughsuch mirrors are somewhat effective in reducing blind spots, they aredeceptive in that objects will appear to be smaller or farther away thanactual. Finally, the externally mounted side view mirrors are obtrusiveand often collide with other objects requiring frequent replacement. Theobtrusive mirrors also significantly increase the wind drag on thevehicle. The present invention eliminates the problems associated withconventional side and rear view mirrors by providing a video monitoringsystem for a vehicle that greatly enhances the viewing range of thedriver.

Although at least one vehicle video monitoring system exists in theprior art, the system has several disadvantages. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,680,123 issued to Lee discloses a vehicle monitoring systemincluding a plurality of video cameras mounted in various locations on avehicle exterior, including each side and the rear. A single videodisplay is mounted within the passenger compartment. A specific cameraoutput is only displayed in response to a triggering event such asactivation of a turn signal or actuation of a vehicle alarm. If the turnsignal is in a neutral position, only the rear camera output isdisplayed.

The above described device has several disadvantages. In order todisplay the output of a side video camera, a user activate the turnsignal. However, only the side camera corresponding to the direction ofthe activated turn signal is displayed. Otherwise, the driver can onlyview the output of the rear camera. Additionally, the system employs asingle video display limiting the driver to a single view at any giventime. Finally, the system includes no warning system for alerting thedriver of an approaching vehicle in the event the approaching vehicle isoutside the viewing range of the cameras.

The present invention overcomes the above enumerated problems associatedwith conventional peripheral viewing systems by providing low profile,aerodynamic, side mounted digital cameras that continuously transmit adigital image to designated display screens within the vehicle passengercompartment allowing a vehicle driver to have a continuous, panoramicview of the vehicle exterior. A similar camera is mounted on the rear ofthe vehicle that continuously transmits an image to a correspondingdisplay unit. The device also includes rear-mounted infrared sensors forwarning the driver if an approaching vehicle is in the “blind spot” andtherefore not visible on either of the displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a peripheral viewing system for avehicle. The system includes a low profile, externally mounted digitalcamera positioned immediately in front of both the passenger and driverdoor, in generally the same location as a conventional side view mirror.A similar low profile digital camera may be mounted on the vehicle roofimmediately adjacent the top edge of the rear window. Each camera iselectrically connected to a controlling computer that transmits thecamera output to a designated LCD mounted within the vehicle passengercompartment. Preferably, the display associated with the driver sidecamera is positioned immediately to the left of the steering wheel whilethe display associated with the passenger side camera is mounted infront of the passenger seat but positioned to face the vehicle driver.The rear camera display is mounted immediately to the right of thevehicle steering wheel.

Additionally, the system may also include one or more infraredphototransistor detectors positioned on either side, near the vehiclerear, preferably immediately in front of the taillight. Thephototransistor is in communication with the controlling computer and aspeaker within the passenger compartment. Accordingly, if a trailingvehicle is approaching in the adjacent lane and is within apredetermined range of the vehicle, a warning signal is sent to thecomputer instructing it to emit a synthesized voice message warning thedriver not to change lanes. The warning message is only emitted,however, if the driver activates a turn signal corresponding to thedirection of the approaching vehicle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicleviewing system that greatly exceeds the capabilities of conventionalvehicle side and rear view mirrors.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a viewingsystem for vehicles that enhances vehicle safety.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide aperipheral viewing system for a vehicle that eliminates the problemsassociated with obtrusive side mounted exterior mirrors.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle with conventional rear and side viewmirrors.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a vehicle with a digital cameramounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the vehicle with the rear digitalcamera mounted thereon.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of display panel according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts a vehicle interior with the display panels mountedtherein.

FIG. 6 depicts the infrared sensors mounted on a vehicle.

FIG. 7 depicts an infrared phototransistor receiver/transmitteraccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention discloses aperipheral viewing system for a vehicle. The system includes a pair oflow profile, externally mounted digital cameras 1 each positionedimmediately in front of either the passenger or driver door in generallythe same location as a conventional side view mirror 6. Each camera isencased within a contoured, aerodynamic housing 33 to minimize drag. Asimilar low profile digital camera 3 may be mounted on the vehicle roofimmediately adjacent the top edge of the rear window for replacing theconventional rear view mirror 41. Preferably, each camera is aprogressive scan, interline-transfer CCD.

Each camera is electrically connected to a controlling computer 10mounted within the vehicle passenger compartment. The computerinterlinks each camera with a designated liquid crystal display (LCD) orsimilar video display likewise mounted within the vehicle passengercompartment. Preferably, the display 5 associated with the driver sidecamera is positioned immediately to the left of the steering wheel whilethe display 7 associated with the passenger side camera is positionedimmediately to the right of the steering wheel. In the event that arearview camera is used, the display 9 associated therewith is mountedimmediately to the right of the vehicle steering wheel while thepassenger side display panel is mounted in front of the passengercompartment but positioned to face the vehicle driver. Each display alsoincludes a brightness control knob 12 mounted thereon to minimizedistraction to the driver. Each display may include a mounting bracket42 for installing on a vehicle dash board, or the displays may beintegral therewith.

Additionally, the system may also include one or more infraredphototransistor detectors 2 positioned on the side of the vehicle, nearthe rear, immediately adjacent the taillight. The phototransistor is incommunication with the controlling computer and a speaker 4. Eachphototransistor includes an infrared transmitter LED 30 and a modulatedinfrared receiver 31. The sensors are able to detect objects within apredetermined range of the vehicle. Preferably, the sensors are operatedat 40 Khz modulation so as to reject spurious light.

Accordingly, if a trailing vehicle is approaching in the adjacent laneand is within the predetermined range of the vehicle, a warning signalis sent to the computer instructing it to emit a synthesized voicemessage via the speaker to warn the driver not to change lanes. Thewarning message is only emitted however if the driver activates a turnsignal corresponding to the direction of the approaching vehicle whilethe approaching vehicle is within the predetermined range.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed thescope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention isonly to be limited by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A peripheral viewing system for a vehicleincluding two opposing sides, a steering wheel positioned within apassenger compartment, and a rear, the peripheral viewing systemcomprising: a pair of cameras, one of the cameras mounted on one of thetwo opposing sides of the vehicle, another of the cameras mounted onanother of the two opposing sides of the vehicle; a pair of videodisplays mounted separately in different locations within the passengercompartment, wherein the pair of video displays are positioned to bereadily visible by a driver, and wherein each video display are inselective communication with a designated one of the pair of cameras; amicroprocessor means in communication with each of the pair of camerasand the pair of video displays for continuously processing imagesreceived from each of the pair of cameras and for continuouslytransmitting the images to each of the pair of video displays; a thirdcamera mounted on the rear of the vehicle, wherein the third camera isconnected to the microprocessor means; a third video display mountedseparately from the pair of video displays within the vehicle passengercompartment, wherein the third video display is in selectivecommunication with the third camera using the microprocessor means forcontinuously depicting images behind the vehicle; and a warning meansfor alerting a driver of an approaching vehicle, wherein the warningmeans comprises: one or more phototransistors, each mounted on each sideof the vehicle and adjacent the rear of the vehicle, wherein eachphototransistor is electrically connected to the microprocessor means;an audible alarm means electrically connected to the microprocessormeans for audibly alerting a driver if one of the one or morephototransistor detects a trailing vehicle within a predetermined rangeof the vehicle; wherein the vehicle includes a turn signal switch meanselectrically connected to the microprocessor means for exclusivelyactivating an audible alarm means if a trailing vehicle is within apredetermined range of the vehicle.
 2. The peripheral viewing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the third camera is immediately adjacent atop edge of a rear window on the vehicle for replacing a conventionalrear view mirror.
 3. The peripheral viewing system according to claim 1,wherein each the pair of cameras is encased within a contoured,aerodynamic housing to minimize wind drag.
 4. The peripheral viewingsystem according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of displays ispositioned immediately adjacent a first side of the steering wheel andanother of the pair of displays is positioned immediately adjacent anopposing side of the steering wheel.
 5. A system for providing warningto a driver of a vehicle that includes two opposing sides, a steeringwheel positioned within a passenger compartment, and a rear, the systemcomprising: a microprocessor means mounted within the passengercompartment; one or more phototransistors, each mounted on each side ofthe vehicle and adjacent the rear of the vehicle, wherein eachphototransistor is electrically connected to the microprocessor means;and an audible alarm means electrically connected to the microprocessormeans for audibly alerting a driver if one of the one or morephototransistor detects an object within a predetermined range of thevehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a turn signal switch meanselectrically connected to the microprocessor means for exclusivelyactivating the audible alarm means if the trailing vehicle is within thepredetermined range of the vehicle.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe object is a trailing vehicle.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein theone or more phototransistors are sensors that operate at 40 Khzmodulation so as to reject spurious light.
 8. The system of claim 5,wherein the one or more phototransistors are infrared phototransistordetectors.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one ormore phototransistors is positioned immediately adjacent the taillightof the vehicle.
 10. A method for providing warning to a driver of avehicle that includes two opposing sides, a steering wheel positionedwithin a passenger compartment, and a rear, the method being implementedby a computer including one or more processors, the method comprising:providing a microprocessor means that is mounted within the passengercompartment; providing one or more phototransistors, each mounted oneach side of the vehicle and adjacent the rear of the vehicle, to detectobjects within a predetermined range of the vehicle, wherein eachphototransistor is electrically connected to the microprocessor means;providing an audible alarm means to audibly alert a driver if one of theone or more phototransistor detects an object within the predeterminedrange of the vehicle, wherein the audible alarm means is electricallyconnected to the microprocessor means; and providing a turn signalswitch means to exclusively activates the audible alarm means if thetrailing vehicle is within the predetermined range of the vehicle,wherein the turn signal switch means is electrically connected to themicroprocessor means.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the object isa trailing vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or morephototransistors are sensors that operate at 40 Khz modulation so as toreject spurious light.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the one ormore phototransistors are infrared phototransistor detectors.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or morephototransistors is positioned immediately adjacent the taillight of thevehicle.